Staying in Rochester, Looking for Fishing

[cricket01]

Hi,

I am not sure if this is the right forum, and I apologize if I placed this incorrectly.

I am from California, and will be in Rochester for a conference starting October 4th, and was wondering if anyone had any advice on places to fish, species etc.

I always see people fishing MN on the WFN channel, and was really excited that I have the opportunity to try it out. I was hoping to catch something that we don't have out here, ie smallies, walley, (northerns may be a little out of the league of the gear I am bringing.) Trout would be fun too, and I added the stamp to my license just in case. I brought bass and trout gear, but figure I will have to pick some stuff up locally.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance for the help!

Dana

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Could always try for some Fall Channel Catfish in the Zumbro River. They are a blast to catch on smaller gear.

[cricket01]

Definitely a possibility, was kind of hoping for something that would involve lure fishing, but catfishing is always a good time, and definitely something I could hit up after work is over each day.

Thanks for the info!

[CJH]

For walleye, bass, northern and catfish you could always hit the Mississippi River. Not too far of a drive from Rochester to Winona(45 min) or any of the other river towns. There are plenty of shore fishing opportunities but also would be great to go out with a guide or find somebody with a boat.

Otherwise I there are alot of trout streams in SE MN within a short drive you could try out for trout. I am sure the MN DNR has maps available.

If I were going to be here a while, I would definitely take a trip to the northern part of the state and check out some big water and the north woods.

Good Luck and enjoy your visit!!

CJH

[bottom-bouncer]

cricket there lots of trout streams in SE minn. just minutes from rochester if you want some locations let me I can e_mail them to you

[CrappiesNCats]

smallies? pitch jigs below the dam or anywhere on the zumbro

[cricket01]

Thanks for the info! Definitely would be interested in the trout streams, especially since they are so close.

I tried a pond near the hotel tonight and picked off a couple of largemouths in the 3/4 to 1 1/2 pound range. It was really cool just to be fishing out here. I was surprised that the bass were so apt to hit in the cool water. Was the first time using my new Shimano Sahara reel, ended up really liking it.

I can be contacted at [email protected], definitely interested in making the trout stamp worthwhile.

Thanks again for the help!

Dana

[cricket01]

smallies? pitch jigs below the dam or anywhere on the zumbro

interesting. . .

I may just try that one day this week. I was thinking of hitting Silverlake tomorrow since I will be working right there.

Smallies like the earthtones like the largemouths?

[Sherpa]

Cricket I hate to say it but I think the trout season ended on the 30th. I could be wrong but I would check the regs. That is to bad because you are in a good area for trout streams from what I hear. Still plenty of other species to be caught though. Good luck.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I think your best chance at a variety of fish would be using a crawler on the Zumbro or the Mississippi.

[CrappiesNCats]

id try earthtones. anything that is relatively crayfish color would be good. save time on silver lake, just fish the stretch after the dam, i think its better. its good with jigs and you can at least battle something by putting a crawler on the bottom

[cricket01]

You guys are awesome. I fished the river over by Toys R Us and caught a ton of smallies. Tried crawlers first, then tried a small crank bait, and then tried and stayed with a Berkley Gulp 2.5 inch minnow. They were killing it.

Caught a few decent ones, I'll post some pics when I have the chance to downlaod them. It's true what they say, man pound for pound these guys out-fight their largemouth cousins.

I caught two crappie and some weird skinny carp thing too.

Hopefully I will have some time to check out below the dam.

Thanks again!!

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Congrats man glad we could help out. I still think you should try letting one of those crawlers sink to the bottom and catch some Cats

[cricket01]

<[PoorWordUsage]. Pretty sure I saw a good sized cat in The first hole I fished today.

Heard there are trout I Fosters Park by my hotel. May try that one evening. That's where I caught the largemouths on Sunday night. Didn't realize there were trout in there, so I didn't even try.

[CrappiesNCats]

glad to hear you caught some fish. the sad thing is i lived there for a year and a half before i figured out how good it is.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

cricket01,

How long are you up here??

[cricket01]

Midday Friday.

[BartmanMN]

sounds like you are having good luck. Lets see those pics.